Effect of Electromagnetic Field on Proliferation and Migration of Fibroblasts and Keratinocytes: Implications in Wound Healing and Regeneration

Author(s): Marija Stojanovic, Vikrant Rai, Devendra K Agrawal

Proliferation and migration of fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and endothelial cells are key events in the physiological process of wound healing. This process includes different but overlapping stages: hemostasis, inflammatory phase, the proliferative phase, and the remodeling phase. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a mechanical insult to the brain from external mechanical force (primary injury), usually followed by the secondary injury including edema, inflammation, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, or mitochondrial dysfunction. The process of tissue repair following TBI is based on the neuronal-glial interactions, where phagocytosis by microglia plays a crucial role. Low-frequency electromagnetic field (LF-EMF) has been shown to enhance tissue repair after TBI, however, there are limited studies investigating the effects of LF-EMF on the proliferation and migration of keratinocytes, fibroblasts, VSMCs, and endothelial cells in the context of wound healing and on neuronal cells and microglia in relation to healing after TBI. Better understanding of the effects of LF-EMF on the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of these cells is important to enhance tissue healing after injury. This review article comprehensively discussed the effect of EMF/LF-EMF on these cells. Results published by different authors are hardly comparable due to different methodological approach and experimental settings. EMF promotes migration and proliferation of fibroblasts, keratinocytes and endothelial cells (EC), and thus could improve wound healing. The pilot study preformed on a large animal model of TBI suggests anti-inflammatory effects of EMF stimulation following TBI. Therefore, EMF is recognized as a potential therapeutic option to accelerate the wound healing and improve cellular recovery and function after TBI. Nonetheless, future studies are needed to define the optimal parameters of EMF stimulation in terms of frequency or duration of exposure.